Cancer biomarker discovery using DNA aptamers

Abstract

Biomarkers are signature molecules able to indicate specific physiological states of cells. Identification of reliable biomarkers is essential for early diagnosis and adaptive treatment of diseases, especially cancer. Aptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides generated by an in vitro screening method called Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX). They can recognize their cognate targets with selectivity and affinity comparable to that of protein antibodies. In addition, aptamers have superiorities including easy synthesis, high chemical stability, convenient modification and flexible design. As such, these DNA molecules show great promise as powerful molecular probes for biomarker discovery and biomarker-based clinical applications. Using complex samples as targets, a panel of aptamers can be systematically generated for comprehensive recognition of disease-specific proteins, which can potentially serve as biomarkers. This review describes current methods for biomarker discovery using aptamers.

Advancing Aptamers as Molecular Probes for Cancer Theranostic Applications—The Role of Molecular Dynamics Simulation

“…reported that LXL‐1‐A DNA aptamers have the ability to bind specifically to MDA‐MB‐231 metastatic cancer cells and showed that these aptamers are highly efficient as probes for early detection of breast cancer metastasis . In recent times, various DNA aptamers have been reported as novel tools for theranostic application of cancer …”

“…[162] In recent times, various DNA aptamers have been reported as novel tools for theranostic application of cancer. [163][164][165]…”

A SERS aptasensor for sensitive and selective detection of bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate

“…32 Various aptamers have been discovered to specically recognize small molecules, proteins and intact cells, with dissociation constants ranging from nanomolar to picomolar levels. 33,34 Compared to antibodies, the widely used bio-recognition elements, aptamers have several advantages that include low cost, nontoxicity, thermal stability, tolerance to a wide range of pH levels, long shelf life, efficient in vitro screening, consistent mass production, and the ability to consistently functionalize them with functional groups. 32,35,36 Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a sensitive spectroscopic technique, which provides the vibrational "ngerprint" of a molecule on the surface of noble metals.…”

Rapid fluorescence detection of immunoglobulin E using an aptamer switch based on a binding-induced pyrene excimer

“…21 The discovery of aptamers for IgE allows the development of aptamer-based assays for IgE in different formats. 12,15,[17][18][19][20][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] To date, several aptamer-based optical detection methods (e.g. luminescence and uorescence) have been developed for IgE detection, [22][23][24][25][26][27][28] such as a label-free aptasensor based on a molecular light switch, 22 uorescence anisotropy assay relying on IgE-binding induced increase of molecular volume and uorescence anisotropy, 23 competitive molecular beacon assay, 26 etc.…”